International students
Manchester is a diverse, multicultural city, and the University takes great pride in welcoming students from across the world.
Being around world-class researchers and women academics is fascinating as well as the number of opportunities students get. I did an internship after my first year of studies which led me to a placement in industry for my fourth year project.
Gabriele Kalantaite / Materials Science, International student
From the cars we drive to the bridges we cross, materials science shapes the world we live in. That is why The University of Manchester devotes more activity to materials research than anywhere else in Europe, providing a comprehensive and inspirational education of the field. As a graduate from this department, you will not only be sought-after across several industries but will go on to fulfil a vital role in enhancing everyday life for the future.
Our fashion courses also provide a thorough grounding in all aspects of retail theory, immersing students in an intellectually stimulating experience and producing highly employable graduates.
There are plenty of funding options available to international students, regardless of your level of programme. Provided you can meet our English language and visa requirements, you could be the next to study at our prestigious Department.
If you're coming to Manchester to study from overseas, there are a few things to consider before you apply.
Find out more about the University’s funding options, language information and Manchester in general, below.
English language requirements
All applicants for all undergraduate degree programmes require an approved English language qualification for entry in September 2027.
Some English language tests are only valid for two years after the test date and must be valid on the start date of the course, which is the first day of Welcome Week. For more information please see our relevant term dates.
Materials Engineering courses
We require:
IELTS with 6.5 overall with nothing below 6.0 in any component.
We can also accept the following approved English language qualifications:
- A-Level English Language grade C.
- AS Level English or English Language and Literature grade C.
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) 176 overall, with a minimum of 169 in all sub-scores
- Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) 176 overall, with a minimum of 169 in all sub-scores
- GCE O-Level English Language grade C.
- GCSE English Language grade C/4 (with a minimum grade of 2 in oral where specified). Please note we cannot accept GCSE English Literature in lieu of GCSE English Language.
- IGCSE English Language (English as a First Language) grade C/4 with a minimum of grade 2 in oral exam where specified. Please note we cannot accept GCSE English Literature in lieu of GCSE English Language. We do not accept LRN’s IGCSE English First Language.
- IGCSE English as a Second Language qualification awarded by Pearson Edexcel, CAIE or Oxford AQA only, at grade 8.
- TOEFL (old scoring system): Internet Based Test (iBT) with an overall score of 90, with no sub-test below 20 - we do not accept 'my best score' and applicants must achieve the TOEFL requirements in one sitting. Please note we do not accept TOEFL iBT Home Edition.
- TOEFL (new scoring system): Internet Based Test (iBT) with an overall score of 4.5 with no sub-test below 4.5 - we do not accept 'my best score' and applicants must achieve the TOEFL requirements in one sitting. Please note we do not accept TOEFL iBT Home Edition.
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic with 70 overall, with no sub-test below 64. We do not accept Pearson PTE Academic online or PTE Home.
- LanguageCert Academic SELT or non-SELT with 71 overall and a minimum of 67 in all subtests. The University can accept either the LanguageCert Academic SELT or the LanguageCert Academic non-SELT versions so long as the test is taken in a test centre. We will not accept the online version.
- Malaysian SPM English at C1 or C2 level or Malaysia O Level 1119 English Language at grade C or above
- India Standard XII (National Boards below only)
* CBSE Indian Standard XII “Elective English” or “English Core” at 80%
* CISCE Indian Standard XII “English” or “English Core” at 80%
We do not accept “Functional English.” - Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE): Core English/English Language at grade 4.
- NCUK’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP) at grade B with no component below a grade C.
- International Baccalaureate Diploma:
English Language A: Literature (Higher & Standard Level) at grade 4
English Language A: Language & Literature (Higher & Standard Level) at grade 4
English B: at grade 5 (Higher Level) or at grade 6 (Standard Level) - Advanced Placement: English Language and Composition at grade 3.
Fashion Business and Technology courses
We require:
IELTS with 6.0 overall with nothing below 6.0 in any component.
- A-Level English Language grade C.
- AS Level English or English Language and Literature grade C.
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) 169 overall, with a minimum of 169 in all sub-scores
- Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) 169 overall, with a minimum of 169 in all sub-scores
- GCE O-Level English Language grade C.
- GCSE English Language grade C/4 with a minimum grade of 2 in oral where specified. Please note we cannot accept GCSE English Literature in lieu of GCSE English Language.
- IGCSE English Language (English as a First Language) grade C/4 with a minimum of grade 2 in oral exam where specified. Please note we cannot accept GCSE English Literature in lieu of GCSE English Language. We do not accept LRN’s IGCSE English First Language.
- IGCSE English as a Second Language qualification awarded by Pearson Edexcel, CAIE or Oxford AQA only, at grade 7.
- TOEFL (old scoring system): Internet Based Test (iBT) with an overall score of 80, with no sub-test below 20 - we do not accept 'my best score' and applicants must achieve the TOEFL requirements in one sitting. Please note we do not accept TOEFL iBT Home Edition.
- TOEFL (new scoring system): Internet Based Test (iBT) with an overall score of 4.5 with no sub-test below 4.5 - we do not accept 'my best score' and applicants must achieve the TOEFL requirements in one sitting. Please note we do not accept TOEFL iBT Home Edition.
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic with 64 overall, with no sub-test below 64. We do not accept Pearson PTE Academic online or PTE Home.
- LanguageCert Academic SELT or non-SELT with 67 overall and a minimum of 67 in all subtests. The University can accept either the LanguageCert Academic SELT or the LanguageCert Academic non-SELT versions so long as the test is taken in a test centre. We will not accept the online version.
- Malaysian SPM English at C1 or C2 level or Malaysia O Level 1119 English Language at grade C or above
- India Standard XII (National Boards below only)
* CBSE Indian Standard XII “Elective English” or “English Core” at 75%
*CISCE Indian Standard XII “English” or “English Core” at 75%
We do not accept “Functional English.” - Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE): Core English/English Language at grade 4.
- NCUK’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP) at grade C with no component below a grade C.
- International Baccalaureate Diploma:
English Language A: Literature (Higher & Standard Level) a grade 4
English Language A: Language & Literature (Higher & Standard Level) a grade 4
English B: a grade 5 (Higher Level) and a grade 6 (Standard Level) - Advanced Placement: English Language and Composition at grade 3.
Fees, funding and scholarships
There are a range of funding options open to international students, depending on the nature of your programme.
Explore our fees and funding pages to discover more about these.
Undergraduate fees and funding:
Taught master's fees and funding
Postgraduate research funding options
Foundation programmes
Would you like to study Materials Science at Manchester but don't have the right entry qualifications? A Foundation Year course could be the solution for you. The Integrated Foundation Year is 'year zero' of a four or five year course that leads to a degree from one of the schools of science or engineering at The University of Manchester.
- Learn about the integrated Foundation Year
- Foundation courses
Additionally, you can find out more about foundation courses for international students on the main University website.
Visa requirements
To study at The University of Manchester, international students require a student visa.
Please read the University’s guidance on visas before you start working on your application.
